My Books

Cover Girl

July 2012

July 30, 2012

Here's a funny thing you might like to know about me ... when I have lots of projects on my plate and it seems like I don't have any time to really work on them, I tell myself to just start, just start even if I only have 10 minutes before I need to run out the door ... just start.

Usually that piece that I really quick "just start" creating, will become something at some point.

This piece above was one of of those quick start projects. Seriously ... the kids were all hanging out at our house, which is almost always the case, and they were hungry, of course, so we all decided to go out for dinner. While everyone was putting on their shoes and deciding what's for dinner, I quick created the background for this little panel.

Then, when I returned from dinner and did have a bit more time, my creative juices were flowing and next thing you know ... this little free motion stitched panel has been stitched, painted and embroidered on!

The same thing happened with this stitched and painted panel. While at first it was just a stitched and painted panel, I thought how fun it would be to make a little free motion stitched sampler book.

To make the pages for the book, I used vinyl that I bought at my local fabric store, and stitched pockets on several pages ... slightly wider than the tags I wanted to use.

Next I free motion stitched on a big panel of layered muslin and batting, then cut up different motifs and patterns that I liked. Then, stitched the samples onto the tag and there you have it ... a little book of free motion samples.

NOTE: Before I free motion stitch any project, I do warm up drills on a sandwich of muslin and batting and more often than not, I'll use these stitched warm ups in project or cut them up and make them into a banner or bunting.

July 16, 2012

It was weekend of work, work and even more work ... and I couldn't stop the ideas from flowing.

In fact I got up early Saturday morning and then went to bed late that night with my mind still spinning over new ideas to stitch/sketch/doodle/paint on fabric and paper.

I couldn't stop thinking about all the possibilities for this type of organic, free motion stitching, doodling, sketching, painting ... or whatever you want to call it.

Here's what I did:

I first adhered a panel of muslin to a panel of white batting, using spray adhesive. Next I cut out a few circles in a variety of colors and glued them down using a fabric glue stick. And then the fun began ... I free motion stitched around the circles creating flowers and just random shapes.

Next I painted the panel using these acrylic paints. I added color to the insides of the petals and to the outer edges of some flowers. At some point I even went in and added some white paint just to pop a few areas.

And then ... of course ... a little embroidery with white perl cotton adds the little perfect details that I love so much.

So fun don't you think? More samples to come ... Lord knows I made a ton!